Metal-insulator-metal (mim) capacitor structure

ABSTRACT

A metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor structure and a method for forming the same are provided. The MIM capacitor structure includes a first electrode layer formed over a substrate, and a first spacer formed on a sidewall of the first electrode layer. The MIM capacitor structure also includes a first dielectric layer formed on the first spacers, and an end of the first dielectric layer is in direct contact with the first pacer.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/034,988, filed on Sep. 28, 2020, which is aContinuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/593,078,filed on Oct. 4, 2019 (now U.S. Pat. No. 11,031,458, issued on Jun. 8,2021), which is a Continuation application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/794,139, filed on Oct. 26, 2017 (now U.S. Pat. No.10,468,478, issued on Nov. 5, 2019), the entire of which is incorporatedby reference herein.

BACKGROUND

The semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) industry has experienced rapidgrowth. Technological advances in IC materials and design have producedgenerations of ICs where each generation has smaller and more complexcircuits than the previous generation. However, these advances haveincreased the complexity of processing and manufacturing ICs and, forthese advances to be realized, similar developments in IC processing andmanufacturing are needed. In the course of IC evolution, functionaldensity (i.e., the number of interconnected devices per chip area) hasgenerally increased while geometric size (i.e., the smallest componentthat can be created using a fabrication process) has decreased.

One type of capacitor is a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor, whichis used in mixed signal devices and logic devices, such as embeddedmemories and radio frequency devices. Metal-insulator-metal capacitorsare used to store a charge in a variety of semiconductor devices.Although existing processes for manufacturing metal-insulator-metalcapacitors have generally been adequate for their intended purposes, asdevice scaling-down continues, they have not been entirely satisfactoryin all respects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from the followingdetailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It shouldbe noted that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry,various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of thevarious features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity ofdiscussion.

FIGS. 1A to 1K are cross-sectional views of various stages of a processfor forming a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor structure, inaccordance with some embodiments; and

FIGS. 2A to 2H are cross-sectional views of various stages of a processfor forming a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor structure, inaccordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following disclosure provides many different embodiments, orexamples, for implementing different features of the provided subjectmatter. Specific examples of components and arrangements are describedbelow to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merelyexamples and are not intended to be limiting. For example, the formationof a first feature over or on a second feature in the description thatfollows includes embodiments in which the first and second features areformed in direct contact, and may also include embodiments in whichadditional features may be formed between the first and second features,such that the first and second features may not be in direct contact.The present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters insome various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicityand clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between somevarious embodiments and/or configurations discussed.

Furthermore, spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,”“lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease ofdescription to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. The spatiallyrelative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of thedevice in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted inthe figures. The apparatus may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degreesor at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors usedherein may likewise be interpreted accordingly.

Some embodiments of the disclosure are described. Additional operationscan be provided before, during, and/or after the stages described inthese embodiments. Some of the stages that are described can be replacedor eliminated for different embodiments. Additional features can beadded to the semiconductor device structure. Some of the featuresdescribed below can be replaced or eliminated for different embodiments.Although some embodiments are discussed with operations performed in aparticular order, these operations may be performed in another logicalorder.

FIGS. 1A to 1K are cross-sectional views of various stages of a processfor forming a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor structure 500A, inaccordance with some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 1A, a substrate 200is received in accordance with some embodiments. The substrate 200 mayinclude a capacitor region 300 and a non-capacitor region 310 adjacentto the capacitor region 300. The capacitor region 300 is configured toprovide metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitors formed thereon by in aback-end-of-line (BEOL) process. In addition, and the non-capacitorregion 310 is configured to provide device elements (not shown) formedthereon. For example, the device elements include transistors (e.g.,metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFET),complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) transistors, bipolarjunction transistors (BJT), high voltage transistors, high frequencytransistors, p-channel and/or n channel field effect transistors(PFETs/NFETs), etc.), diodes, and/or other applicable elements. In someembodiments, the device elements are formed in the substrate 200 in afront-end-of-line (FEOL) process.

In some embodiments, the substrate 200 may be a semiconductor substrate,such as a bulk semiconductor, a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI)substrate, or the like, which may be doped (e.g. with a P-type or anN-type dopant) or undoped. The substrate 200 may be a wafer, such as asilicon wafer. Generally, an SOI substrate includes a layer of asemiconductor material formed on an insulator layer. The insulator layermay be, for example, a buried oxide (BOX) layer, a silicon oxide layer,or the like. The insulator layer is provided on a substrate, typically asilicon or glass substrate. Other substrates, such as a multi-layered orgradient substrate may also be used. In some embodiments, thesemiconductor material of the substrate 200 may include silicon;germanium; a compound semiconductor including silicon carbide, galliumarsenic, gallium phosphide, indium phosphide, indium arsenide, and/orindium antimonide; an alloy semiconductor including SiGe, GaAsP, AlInAs,AlGaAs, GaInAs, GaInP, and/or GaInAsP; or combinations thereof. Thesubstrate 200 may further include isolation features (not shown), suchas shallow trench isolation (STI) features or local oxidation of silicon(LOCOS) features. Isolation features may surround and isolate variousdevice elements.

As shown in FIG. 1A, an interconnect structure 209 is formed over thesubstrate 200. The interconnect structure 209 may include dielectriclayers 202, 206 and 210, etch stop layers 204 and 208 and top metallines 213. The dielectric layers 202, 206 and 210 and the etch stoplayers 204 and 208 may be formed one over another in an alternatingfashion. In addition, the interconnect structure 209 may include metallines (not shown) and vias (not shown) formed embedded in the dielectriclayers 202 and 206. Furthermore, the interconnect structure 209 mayinclude top metal lines 213 formed in the dielectric layer 202 close toa top surface 215 of the interconnect structure 209. The interconnectstructure 209 may be formed in the back-end-of-line (BEOL) process.

In some embodiments, the dielectric layers 202, 206 and 210 are made ofun-doped silicate glass (USG), fluorinated silicate glass (FSG),carbon-doped silicate glass, silicon oxide, silicon nitride or siliconoxynitride. In some embodiments, the dielectric layers 202, 206 and 210are formed by a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process, a spin-onprocess, a sputtering process, or a combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the etch stop layers 204 and 208 are made ofsilicon carbide (SiC), silicon nitride (SixNy), silicon carbonitride(SiCN), silicon oxycarbide (SiOC), silicon oxycarbon nitride (SiOCN),tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) or another applicable material. In someembodiments, the etch stop layers 204 and 208 are formed by performing aplasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process, a low pressureCVD process, an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process, or anotherapplicable process.

In some embodiments, the thickness of the dielectric layer 210 isgreater than the thicknesses of the dielectric layers 202 and 206. Forexample, the thickness of the dielectric layer 202 is in a range fromabout 1500 Å to about 2500 Å (e.g. about 2000 Å), the thickness of thedielectric layer 206 is in a range from about 5000 Å to about 7000 Å(e.g. about 6200 Å), and the thickness of the dielectric layer 210 is ina range from about 8000 Å to about 10000 Å (e.g. about 9000 Å).

In some embodiments, each of the top metal lines 213 includes a barrierlayer 212 and a metal material 214 over the barrier layer 212. Thebarrier layer 212 may be configured to separate the metal material 214from the dielectric layer 210. For example, the barrier layer 212 may bemade of titanium (Ti), titanium alloy, tantalum (Ta) or tantalum alloy.For example, the barrier layer 212 may be made of tantalum nitride(TaN). The metal material 214 may be made of a conductive material, suchas copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), tungsten (W), or another applicablematerial. In some embodiments, the top metal lines 213 are formed byperforming a deposition process (e.g. a physical vapor deposition (PVD)process, an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process, or another applicableprocess) and a subsequent planarization process (e.g. an etch-backprocess and/or a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process).

After the interconnect structure 209 is formed, an etch stop layer 216and a dielectric layer 218 are formed over the interconnect structure209 in sequence. Some materials and processes used to form the etch stoplayer 216 may be similar to, or the same as, those used to form thefirst etch stop layers 204 and 208 and are not repeated herein. Somematerials and processes used to form the dielectric layer 218 may besimilar to, or the same as, those used to form the dielectric layers202, 206 and 210 and are not repeated herein. In some embodiments, thethickness of the dielectric layer 218 is in a range from about 3000 Å toabout 5000 Å, such as about 4000 Å.

Afterwards, a bottom electrode layer 220 is formed over the substrate200, as shown in FIG. 1A in accordance with some embodiments. The bottomelectrode layer 220 may be formed covering the dielectric layer 218 inthe capacitor region 300 of the substrate 200. In other words, thebottom electrode layer 220 may be formed without covering thenon-capacitor region 310 of the substrate 200. In addition, the bottomelectrode layer 220 may overlap at least one of the top metal lines 213(e.g. the rightmost one of the top metal lines 213) in the capacitorregion 300 of the substrate 200.

In some embodiments, the bottom electrode layer 220 is made of metals.In some embodiments, the bottom electrode layer 220 is made of aluminum,copper, tungsten, titanium, tantalum, titanium nitride, tantalumnitride, or another applicable material. In some embodiments, the bottomelectrode layer 220 is formed by performing a deposition process (e.g. aCVD process, a physical vapor deposition (PVD) process or an atomiclayer deposition (ALD) process) and a subsequent patterning process(e.g. a photolithography process and a subsequent etching process).

After the bottom electrode layer 220 is formed, a dielectric spacerlayer 226 is formed over a top surface 222 and the opposite sidewalls223 of the bottom electrode layer 220, as shown in FIG. 1B in accordancewith some embodiments. The dielectric spacer layer 226 is conformallyformed on the bottom electrode layer 220 and the dielectric layer 218 inthe capacitor region 300 and the non-capacitor region 310 of thesubstrate 200.

In some embodiments, the dielectric spacer layer 226 includes a singlelayer structure or a multi-layer structure. The dielectric spacer layer226 may be made of low dielectric constant (low-k) materials (e.g. k<5),such as silicon nitride (SiN), silicon oxide (SiO₂), silicon oxynitride(SiON), silicon carbide (SiC), silicon carbonitride (SiCN), anothersuitable material, or a combination thereof. The dielectric spacer layer226 may be deposited using a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process, aphysical vapor deposition (PVD) process, a spin-on process, anotherapplicable process, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, thebottom electrode layer 220 has a thickness T1 and the dielectric spacerlayer 226 has a thickness T2. For example, the thickness T1 of thebottom electrode layer 220 may be equal to the thickness T2 of thedielectric spacer layer 226.

After the dielectric spacer layer 226 is formed, a portion of thedielectric spacer layer 226 over the top surface 222 of the bottomelectrode layer 220 is removed to form dielectric spacers 228, as shownin FIG. 1C in accordance with some embodiments. The dielectric spacers228 may be formed on the opposite sidewalls 223 of the bottom electrodelayer 220 by an etching process (not shown). The dielectric spacers 228may be formed extending over a portion of the dielectric layer 218 inthe capacitor region 300 of the substrate 200. The dielectric spacers228 may be sector-shaped in the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 1C.In some embodiments, the dielectric spacers 228 are formed by an etchingprocess including a dry etch process.

After the dielectric spacers 228 are formed, a dielectric layer 230 isformed over the bottom electrode layer 220, as shown in FIG. 1D inaccordance with some embodiments. The dielectric layer 230 may beconformally formed on the bottom electrode layer 220 and the dielectricspacers 228. The dielectric layer 230 may be formed extending over thedielectric layer 218 in the capacitor region 300 and the non-capacitorregion 310 of the substrate 200. In some embodiments, each of thedielectric spacers 228 is in contact with the dielectric layer 218, thedielectric layer 230 and the bottom electrode layer 220. Morespecifically, the dielectric layer 218 is in contact with a surface228-1 of each of the dielectric spacers 228, the bottom electrode layer220 is in contact with a surface 228-2 of each of the dielectric spacers228, the dielectric layer 230 is in contact with a surface 228-3 of eachof the dielectric spacers 228.

In some embodiments, the dielectric layer 230 is made of a highdielectric constant (high-k) dielectric materials (e.g. the dielectricconstant (k) is in a range from about 10 to about 20) including oxidesof Li, Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Sc, Y, Zr, Hf, Al, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd,Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, or another applicable material. Therefore,the dielectric spacers 228 and the dielectric layer 230 are formed ofdifferent dielectric materials. The dielectric constant of thedielectric spacers 228 may be different from the dielectric constant ofthe dielectric layer 230. For example, the dielectric constant of thedielectric spacers 228 is lower than the dielectric constant of thedielectric layer 230. The difference between the dielectric constants ofthe dielectric spacers 228 and the dielectric layer 230 may be equal toor greater than 5.

In some embodiments, the dielectric layer 230 is formed by performing aplasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process, a low pressureCVD process, an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process, a molecular beamdeposition (MBD) or another applicable process.

After the dielectric layer 230 is formed, a middle electrode layer 232is formed over the dielectric layer 230, as shown in FIG. 1E inaccordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, the middleelectrode layer 232 partially overlaps the bottom electrode layer 220.The dielectric layer 230 may be positioned between the bottom electrodelayer 220 and the middle electrode layer 232. The sidewall 223 of thebottom electrode layer 220 may be separated from the middle electrodelayer 232 by the dielectric layer 230 and the dielectric spacer 228. Inaddition, the middle electrode layer 232 may overlap at least one of thetop metal lines 213 (e.g. the middle one of the top metal lines 213).The materials, configurations, structures and/or processes of the middleelectrode layer 232 may be similar to, or the same as, those of thebottom electrode layer 220, and the details thereof are not repeatedherein.

After the middle electrode layer 232 is formed, the dielectric spacers238 are formed on opposite sidewalls 235 of the middle electrode layer232, as shown in FIG. 1F in accordance with some embodiments. Thedielectric spacers 238 may be formed extending over the dielectric layer218 the dielectric layer 230 in the capacitor region 300 of thesubstrate 200. The materials, configurations, structures and/orprocesses of the dielectric spacers 238 may be similar to, or the sameas, those of the dielectric spacers 228, and the details thereof are notrepeated herein.

After the dielectric spacers 238 are formed, a dielectric layer 240 isformed over the middle electrode layer 232, as shown in FIG. 1G inaccordance with some embodiments. The dielectric layer 240 may beconformally formed on the bottom electrode layer 220, the dielectricspacers 228, the middle electrode layer 232 and the dielectric spacers238. The dielectric layer 230 may be formed extending over thedielectric layer 218 in the capacitor region 300 and the non-capacitorregion 310 of the substrate 200.

In some embodiments, each of the dielectric spacers 238 is in contactwith the dielectric layer 230, the dielectric layer 240 and the middleelectrode layer 232. More specifically, the dielectric layer 230 is incontact with a surface 238-1 of each of the dielectric spacers 238, themiddle electrode layer 232 is in contact with a surface 238-2 of each ofthe dielectric spacers 238, the dielectric layer 240 is in contact witha surface 238-3 of each of the dielectric spacers 238.

After the dielectric layer 240 is formed, a top electrode layer 242 isformed over the dielectric layer 240, as shown in FIG. 1H in accordancewith some embodiments. In some embodiments, the top electrode layer 242partially overlaps the middle electrode layer 232. The top electrodelayer 242 may fully overlap the bottom electrode layer 220. Therefore,sidewalls 245 of the top electrode layer 242 may be aligned with thecorresponding sidewalls 223 of the bottom electrode layer 220. In otherwords, the bottom electrode layer 220, the middle electrode layer 232and the top electrode layer 242 may substantially be arranged in astaggered arrangement along the normal line of a top surface 201 of thesubstrate 200. In addition, the top electrode layer 242 may overlap atleast one of the top metal lines 213 (e.g. the rightmost one of the topmetal lines 213).

As shown in FIG. 1H, the dielectric layer 240 may be positioned betweenthe middle electrode layer 232 and the top electrode layer 242. Thesidewalls 223 of the bottom electrode layer 220 may be separated fromthe top electrode layer 242 by the dielectric layer 230, the dielectriclayer 240 and the dielectric spacers 228. The sidewall 235 of the middleelectrode layer 232 may be separated from the top electrode layer 242 bythe dielectric layer 240 and the dielectric spacer 238. In someembodiments, there are no dielectric spacers formed on sidewalls 245 ofthe top electrode layer 242.

The materials, configurations, structures and/or processes of the topelectrode layer 242 may be similar to, or the same as, those of thebottom electrode layer 220 and the middle electrode layer 232, and thedetails thereof are not repeated herein.

After the top electrode layer 242 is formed, a dielectric layer 246 isformed covering the bottom electrode layer 220, the middle electrodelayer 232, the top electrode layer 242, the dielectric layer 230 thedielectric layer 240, the dielectric spacers 228 and the dielectricspacers 238, as shown in FIG. 1I in accordance with some embodiments. Insome embodiments, the dielectric constant of the dielectric layer 246 issimilar to or the same as the dielectric constant of the dielectriclayer 218. Therefore, the dielectric constant of the dielectric layer246 may be lower than the dielectric constants of the high-k dielectriclayers 230 and 240 and the low-k dielectric spacers 228 and 238.

The materials, configurations, structures and/or processes of thedielectric layer 246 may be similar to, or the same as, those of thedielectric layer 218, and the details thereof are not repeated herein.In some embodiments, the thickness of the dielectric layer 246 isgreater than or equal to the thicknesses of the dielectric layer 218.For example, the thickness of the dielectric layer 218 is in a rangefrom about 3000 Å to about 5000 Å, and the thickness of the dielectriclayer 246 is in a range from about 3500 Å to about 5500 Å. For example,the thickness of the dielectric layer 218 is about 4000 Å, and thethickness of the dielectric layer 246 is about 4500 Å.

After the dielectric layer 246 is formed, redistribution layer (RDL)structures 250A, 250B and 250C are formed on the dielectric layer 246,as shown in FIG. 1J in accordance with some embodiments. The RDLstructures 250A, 250B and 250C are formed passing through through thedielectric layers 218 and 246 and the etch stop layer 216. In addition,the RDL structures 250A, 250B and 250C are in contact with thecorresponding top metal lines 213. More specifically, the RDL structure250A may be formed passing through the bottom electrode layer 220, thetop electrode layer 242, the dielectric layer 230 the dielectric layer240 and electrically connected to the rightmost top metal line 213 inthe capacitor region 300 of the substrate 200, as shown in FIG. 1J. TheRDL structure 250B may be formed passing through the middle electrodelayer 232, the dielectric layer 230 the dielectric layer 240 andelectrically connected to the middle top metal line 213 in the capacitorregion 300 of the substrate 200, as shown in FIG. 1J. Therefore, the RDLstructure 250A is electrically connected to the bottom electrode layer220 and the top electrode layer 242 of the resulting MIM capacitorstructure 500A. The RDL structure 250B is electrically connected to themiddle electrode layer 232 of the resulting MIM capacitor structure500A. In addition, the RDL structure 250C may be formed passing throughthe dielectric layer 230 the dielectric layer 240 in the non-capacitorregion 310 of the substrate 200, as shown in FIG. 1J.

In some embodiments, portions of the RDL structures 250A, 250B and 250Cpassing through the dielectric layers 218 and 246 and the etch stoplayer 216 serve as via portions of the RDL structures 250A, 250B and250C. In addition, portions of the RDL structures 250A, 250B and 250Cabove the dielectric layer 246 may serve as RDL portions of the RDLstructures 250A, 250B and 250C.

In some embodiments, the RDL structure 250A includes a barrier layer252A and a metal material 254A over the barrier layer 252A. Similarly,the RDL structure 250B may include a barrier layer 252B and a metalmaterial 254B over the barrier layer 252B. The RDL structure 250C mayinclude a barrier layer 252C and a metal material 254C over the barrierlayer 252C. The materials, configurations, structures and/or processesof the barrier layers 252A, 252B and 252C may be similar to, or the sameas, those of the barrier layer 212, and the details thereof are notrepeated herein. The materials, configurations, structures and/orprocesses of the metal materials 254A, 254B and 254C may be similar to,or the same as, those of the metal material 214, and the details thereofare not repeated herein.

After the RDL structures 250A, 250B and 250C are formed, a passivationlayer structure 260 is formed over the RDL structures 250A, 250B and250C, as shown in FIG. 1K in accordance with some embodiments. In someembodiments, the passivation layer structure 260 includes a firstpassivation layer 256 and a second passivation layer 258 on the firstpassivation layer 256. In addition, the passivation layer structure 260may have openings 264A, 264B and 264C respectively on the RDL structures250A, 250B and 250C. Therefore, portions of the RDL structures 250A,250B and 250C are respectively exposed from the openings 264A, 264B and264C. The exposed portions of the RDL structures 250A, 250B and 250C mayserve as pad portions of the resulting MIM capacitor structure 500A.

In some embodiments, the first passivation layer 256 and the secondpassivation layer 258 of the passivation layer structure 260 are formedof different dielectric materials. For example, the first passivationlayer 256 may be formed of un-doped silicate glass (USG), and the layermay be formed of silicon nitride (SiN). The passivation layer structure260 may be formed by a deposition process (e.g. a CVD process, a spin-onprocess, a sputtering process, or a combination thereof) and asubsequent patterning process (e.g. a photolithography process and asubsequent etching process). In some embodiments, the thickness of thefirst passivation layer 256 is greater than the thickness of the secondpassivation layer 258. For example, the thickness of the firstpassivation layer 256 is in a range from about 10000 Å to about 14000 Å(e.g. about 12000 Å), and the thickness of the second passivation layer258 is in a range from about 6000 Å to about 8000 Å (e.g. about 7000 Å).

After the aforementioned processes are performed, ametal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor structure 500A is formed, as shownin FIG. 1K in accordance with some embodiments.

In the MIM capacitor structure 500A, the dielectric spacer 228 and thedielectric layer 230 covering the dielectric spacer 228 may collectivelyserve as a dielectric composite structure 231 between the bottomelectrode layer 220 and the middle electrode layer 232. The dielectriclayer 230 may serve as a first portion of the dielectric compositestructure 231 having a first dielectric constant. Each of the dielectricspacers 228 may serve as a second portion of the dielectric compositestructure 231 having a second dielectric constant that is lower than thefirst dielectric constant. In addition, the dielectric constant of thedielectric layer 246 is lower than the dielectric constants of the firstportion (i.e. the dielectric layer 230) and the second portion (i.e. thedielectric spacer 228) of the dielectric composite structure 231.

In the MIM capacitor structure 500A, the top surface 222 of the bottomelectrode layer 220 is separated from the middle electrode layer 232 bythe first portion (i.e. the dielectric layer 230) of the dielectriccomposite structure 231. The sidewall 223 of the bottom electrode layer220 is separated from the middle electrode layer 232 by the secondportion (i.e. the dielectric spacer 228) of the dielectric compositestructure 231.

In the MIM capacitor structure 500A, the first portion (i.e. thedielectric layer 230) of the dielectric composite structure 231 and thebottom electrode layer 220 are in contact with different surfaces 228-2and 228-3 of the second portion (i.e. the dielectric spacer 228) of thedielectric composite structure 231.

In the MIM capacitor structure 500A, the dielectric spacer 238 and thedielectric layer 240 covering the dielectric spacer 238 may collectivelyserve as a dielectric composite structure 241 between the middleelectrode layer 232 and the top electrode layer 242. The dielectriclayer 240 may serve as a third portion of the dielectric compositestructure 241 having the first dielectric constant. Each of thedielectric spacer 238 may serve as a fourth portion of the dielectriccomposite structure 241 having the second dielectric constant that islower than the first dielectric constant.

In the MIM capacitor structure 500A, the top surface 234 of the middleelectrode layer 232 is separated from the top electrode layer 242 by thethird portion (i.e. the dielectric layer 240) of the dielectriccomposite structure 241. The sidewall 235 of the middle electrode layer232 is separated from the top electrode layer 242 by the fourth portion(i.e. the dielectric spacer 238) of the dielectric composite structure241.

In the MIM capacitor structure 500A, the third portion (i.e. thedielectric layer 240) of the dielectric composite structure 241 and themiddle electrode layer 232 are in contact with the different surfaces238-2 and 238-3 of the fourth portion (i.e. the dielectric spacer 238)of the dielectric composite structure 241.

In some embodiments, the MIM capacitor structure 500A uses the low-k(e.g. k<5) dielectric spacers (e.g. the dielectric spacers 228 and 238)formed on the sidewalls 223 of the bottom electrode layer 220 and thesidewalls 235 of the middle electrode layer 232 partially overlappingthe underlying bottom electrode layer 220. The dielectric spacers aresector-shaped in the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 1K. Therefore,the top surface of the bottom/middle electrode layer and the outersidewall (e.g. the surfaces 228-3 and 238-3) of the correspondingdielectric spacers may form a rounded corner for the high-k (e.g.10<k<20) dielectric layer (e.g. the dielectric layers 230 and 240)directly formed thereon. The sector-shaped dielectric spacers mayenlarge the distance between the sidewalls of the bottom/middleelectrode layer and the corresponding high-k dielectric layer. Inaddition, the dielectric spacers can prevent a charge from concentratingin the high-k dielectric layer at the (sharp) corner between the topsurface and the sidewall of the corresponding bottom/middle electrodelayer. The portion of the high-k dielectric layer close to the corner ofthe underlying bottom/middle electrode layer may have an improved filmquality. Therefore, the reliability problem of the MIM capacitorstructure resulting from the charge that accumulates in the corner ofthe bottom/middle electrode layer can be avoided. Therefore, the MIMcapacitor structure may have high capacitance value by thinning down thehigh-k dielectric layer without lowering the breakdown voltage of theMIM capacitor structure. The leakage problem of the MIM capacitorstructure can also be eliminated.

FIGS. 2A to 2H are cross-sectional views of various stages of a processfor forming a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor structure 500B, inaccordance with some embodiments. The materials, configurations,structures and/or processes employed in FIGS. 1A to 1K may be utilizedin the following embodiment and the details thereof may be omitted.

After the interconnect structure 209, the etch stop layer 216 and thedielectric layer 218 are formed over the substrate 200, a bottomelectrode layer 319 and a dielectric layer 329 are formed over thedielectric layer 218 in sequence, as shown in FIG. 2A in accordance withsome embodiments. The materials, configurations and/or structures of thebottom electrode layer 319 may be similar to, or the same as, those ofthe bottom electrode layer 220, and the details thereof are not repeatedherein. The position, materials, configurations, structures and/orprocesses of the dielectric layer 329 may be similar to, or the same as,those of the dielectric layer 230, and the details thereof are notrepeated herein.

Afterwards, the bottom electrode layer 319 and the dielectric layer 329in the non-capacitor region 310 are removed in a single patterningprocess to form a bottom electrode layer 320 and a dielectric layer 330,as shown in FIG. 2B in accordance with some embodiments. The position ofthe bottom electrode layer 320 may be similar to, or the same as, thoseof the bottom electrode layer 220. In some embodiments, oppositesidewalls 333 of the dielectric layer 330 are respectively aligned withcorresponding opposite sidewalls 323 of the bottom electrode layer 320.In addition, the dielectric layer 330 is formed covering the capacitorregion 300 without extending to cover the non-capacitor region 310 ofthe substrate 200. The patterning process may include a photolithographyprocess and a subsequent etching process (e.g. a dry etching process).

Afterwards, a dielectric spacer layer 326 is formed over a top surface327 and the opposite sidewalls 333 of the dielectric layer 330, a topsurface 322 and the opposite sidewalls 323 of the bottom electrode layer320, as shown in FIG. 2C in accordance with some embodiments. Theposition, materials, configurations, structures and/or processes of thedielectric spacer layer 326 may be similar to, or the same as, those ofthe dielectric layer 226, and the details thereof are not repeatedherein.

In some embodiments, the bottom electrode layer 320 has a thickness T1,the dielectric layer 330 has a thickness T3 and the dielectric spacerlayer 326 has a thickness T4. For example, the thickness T1 of thebottom electrode layer 320 may be equal to the thickness T3 of thedielectric layer 330. In addition, the thickness T4 of the dielectricspacer layer 326 may be equal to the total thickness of the bottomelectrode layer 320 and the dielectric layer 330 (i.e. T4=T1+T3).

Afterwards, a portion of the dielectric spacer layer 326 the top surface327 of the dielectric layer 330 (and over the top surface 322 of thebottom electrode layer 320) is removed to form dielectric spacers 328,as shown in FIG. 2D in accordance with some embodiments. The dielectricspacers 328 are formed on the opposite sidewalls 323 of the bottomelectrode layer 320 and the opposite sidewalls 333 of the dielectriclayer 330. The materials, configurations, structures and/or processes ofthe dielectric spacers 328 may be similar to, or the same as, those ofthe dielectric spacers 228, and the details thereof are not repeatedherein.

Afterwards, a middle electrode layer 331 and a dielectric layer 339 areformed over the dielectric layers 218 and 330 in sequence, as shown inFIG. 2D in accordance with some embodiments. The materials,configurations and/or structures of the middle electrode layer 331 maybe similar to, or the same as, those of the middle electrode layer 320,and the details thereof are not repeated herein. The position,materials, configurations, structures and/or processes of the dielectriclayer 339 may be similar to, or the same as, those of the dielectriclayer 240, and the details thereof are not repeated herein.

Afterwards, the middle electrode layer 331 and the dielectric layer 339in the non-capacitor region 310 are removed by a single patterningprocess to form a middle electrode layer 332 and a dielectric layer 340,as shown in FIG. 2E in accordance with some embodiments. The positionand/or processes of the middle electrode layer 332 may be similar to, orthe same as, those of the middle electrode layer 232, and the detailsthereof are not repeated herein. In some embodiments, opposite sidewalls343 of the dielectric layer 340 are respectively aligned withcorresponding opposite sidewalls 335 of the middle electrode layer 332.The dielectric layer 340 is formed covering the capacitor region 300without extending to cover the non-capacitor region 310 of the substrate200. In addition, the dielectric layer 340 may partially overlap thedielectric layer 330.

In some embodiments, the dielectric layer 218 is in contact with asurface 328-1 of each of the dielectric spacers 328. The bottomelectrode layer 320 and the dielectric layer 330 are both in contactwith a surface 328-2 of each of the dielectric spacers 328. The middleelectrode layer 332 is in contact with a surface 328-3 of the leftdielectric spacer 328.

Afterwards, dielectric spacers 338 are formed on the opposite sidewalls335 of the middle electrode layer 332 and the opposite sidewalls 343 ofthe dielectric layer 340, as shown in FIG. 2F in accordance with someembodiments.

The dielectric spacers 338 are formed by a deposition process and asubsequent etching process. The deposition process is performed todeposit a dielectric spacer layer (not shown) over a top surface 334 andthe opposite sidewalls 335 of the middle electrode layer 332 and a topsurface 341 and the opposite sidewalls 343 of the dielectric layer 340.The etching process is performed to remove a portion of the dielectricspacer layer over the top surface 334 of the middle electrode layer 332and the top surface 341 of the dielectric layer 340.

Afterwards, a top electrode layer 342 is formed over the dielectriclayer 340, as shown in FIG. 2G in accordance with some embodiments. Theposition, materials, configurations, structures and/or processes of thetop electrode layer 342 may be similar to, or the same as, those of thetop electrode layer 242, and the details thereof are not repeatedherein.

Afterwards, the dielectric layer 246 is formed covering the bottomelectrode layer 320, the middle electrode layer 332, the top electrodelayer 342, the dielectric layer 230 the dielectric layer 340, thedielectric spacers 328 and the dielectric spacers 338, as shown in FIG.2H in accordance with some embodiments.

In some embodiments, the dielectric layer 218 is in contact with asurface 338-1 of the left dielectric spacer 338. Therefore, the bottom(i.e. the surface 338-1) of the left dielectric spacer 338 is alignedwith the bottoms (i.e. the surfaces 328-1) of the dielectric spacers328. The top surface 327 of the dielectric layer 330 may be in contactwith the surface 338-1 of the right dielectric spacer 338. The middleelectrode layer 332 and the dielectric layer 340 may both be in contactwith a surface 338-2 of each of the dielectric spacers 338. In addition,the dielectric layer 246 is in contact with a surface 338-3 of the leftdielectric spacer 338. The top electrode layer 342 may be in contactwith the surface 338-3 of the right dielectric spacer 338.

Afterwards, the RDL structures 250A, 250B and 250C are formed throughthe dielectric layers 218 and 246 to electrically connect to the topmetal lines 213. It should be noted that the RDL structure 250C isformed without passing through the dielectric layers 330 and 340.Afterwards, the passivation layer structure 260 is formed over the RDLstructures 250A, 250B and 250C. After the aforementioned processes areperformed, a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor structure 500B isformed, as shown in FIG. 2H in accordance with some embodiments.

In the MIM capacitor structure 500B, the dielectric spacer 328 and thedielectric layer 330 adjacent to the dielectric spacer 328 maycollectively serve as a dielectric composite structure 431 between thebottom electrode layer 320 and the middle electrode layer 332. Thedielectric layer 330 may serve as a first portion of the dielectriccomposite structure 431 having a first dielectric constant. Each of thedielectric spacer 328 may serve as a second portion of the dielectriccomposite structure 431 having a second dielectric constant that islower than the first dielectric constant.

Some of the advantages of the MIM capacitor structure 500B may besimilar to the advantages of the MIM capacitor structure 500A. Inaddition, the bottom/middle electrode layer and the corresponding high-kdielectric layer of the MIM capacitor structure 500B are patterned usinga single pattering process. The dielectric spacers are formed on thesidewalls of the bottom/middle electrode layer and the correspondinghigh-k dielectric layer. The high-k dielectric layer does not wrap the(sharp) corner between the top surface and the sidewall of theunderlying bottom/middle electrode layer. Therefore, the problems withthe MIM capacitor structure's reliability resulting from the charge thataccumulates in the corner of the bottom/middle electrode layer can beavoided. Therefore, the MIM capacitor structure may have highcapacitance value by thinning down the high-k dielectric layer withoutlowering the breakdown voltage of the MIM capacitor structure. Theleakage problem of the MIM capacitor structure can also be eliminated.

Embodiments of a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor structure (e.g.the MIM capacitor structures 500A and 500B) and a method for forming theMIM capacitor structure are provided. The MIM capacitor structureincludes a substrate 200, a bottom electrode layer (e.g. the bottomelectrode layers 220 and 320), a first dielectric layer (e.g. thedielectric layers 230 and 330), a top electrode layer (e.g. the topelectrode layers 242 and 342) and first dielectric spacers (e.g. thedielectric spacers 228 and 328). The bottom electrode layer ispositioned over the substrate. The first dielectric layer is positionedover the bottom electrode layer. The top electrode layer is positionedover the first dielectric layer. The first dielectric spacers arepositioned on opposite sidewalls of the bottom electrode layer. Thefirst dielectric layer has a first dielectric constant. The firstdielectric spacers have a second dielectric constant that is lower thanthe first dielectric constant. The MIM capacitor structure may have ahigh capacitance value by thinning down the high-k dielectric layerwithout lowering the breakdown voltage of the MIM capacitor structure.

Embodiments of a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor structure and amethod for forming the MIM capacitor structure are provided. The MIMcapacitor structure includes a substrate, a bottom electrode layer, afirst dielectric layer, a top electrode layer and first dielectricspacers. The bottom electrode layer is positioned over the substrate.The first dielectric layer is positioned over the bottom electrodelayer. The top electrode layer is positioned over the first dielectriclayer. The first dielectric spacers are positioned on opposite sidewallsof the bottom electrode layer. The first dielectric layer has a firstdielectric constant. The first dielectric spacers have a seconddielectric constant that is lower than the first dielectric constant.The MIM capacitor structure may have high capacitance value by thinningdown the high-k dielectric layer without lowering the breakdown voltageof the MIM capacitor structure.

In some embodiments, a MIM capacitor structure is provided. The MIMcapacitor structure includes a substrate, and the substrate includes acapacitor region and a non-capacitor region. The MIM capacitor structureincludes a first electrode layer formed over the substrate, and a firstspacer formed on a sidewall of the first electrode layer. The MIMcapacitor structure includes a first dielectric layer formed on thefirst spacers, and a second electrode layer formed on the firstdielectric layer. The second electrode layer extends from the capacitorregion to the non-capacitor region, and the second electrode layerextends beyond an outer sidewall of the first spacer.

In some embodiments, a MIM capacitor structure is provided. The MIMcapacitor structure includes a first electrode layer formed over asubstrate, and a first dielectric layer formed on the first electrodelayer. The MIM capacitor structure includes a first spacer formed on asidewall of the first electrode layer and a sidewall of the firstelectric layer, and a second electrode layer formed on the first spacerand the first dielectric layer, wherein the first spacer is in directcontact with the second electrode layer.

In some embodiments, a method for forming a MIM capacitor structure isprovided. The method includes forming a first electrode layer over asubstrate, and forming a first dielectric layer on the first electrodelayer. The method also includes forming a first spacer on a sidewall ofthe first electrode layer and a sidewall of the first dielectric layerand forming a second electrode layer on the first dielectric layer andthe first spacer. The first spacer is in direct contact with the secondelectrode layer.

In some embodiments, a MIM capacitor structure is provided. The MIMcapacitor structure includes a first electrode layer formed over asubstrate, and a first spacer formed on a sidewall of the firstelectrode layer. The MIM capacitor structure also includes a firstdielectric layer formed on the first spacers, and an end of the firstdielectric layer is in direct contact with the first pacer.

In some embodiments, a MIM capacitor structure is provided. The MIMcapacitor structure includes a first electrode layer formed over asubstrate, and a first dielectric layer formed on the first electrodelayer. The MIM capacitor structure includes a first spacer formed on asidewall of the first electrode layer and a sidewall of the firstdielectric layer, and a topmost surface of the first spacer is higherthan an interface between the first electrode layer and the firstdielectric layer.

In some embodiments, a MIM capacitor structure is provided. The MIMcapacitor structure includes a first electrode layer formed over asubstrate, and a first dielectric layer formed on the first electrodelayer. The MIM capacitor structure also includes a first spacer formedon a sidewall of the first electrode layer and a sidewall of the firstdielectric layer, and a second electrode layer formed on the firstspacer and the first dielectric layer. The MIM capacitor structureincludes a second dielectric layer formed on the second electrode layer;and a second spacer formed over the substrate. A first sidewall of thesecond dielectric layer and a first sidewall of the second electrodelayer are in direct contact with a sidewall of the second spacer.

The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments so that thoseskilled in the art may better understand the aspects of the presentdisclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they mayreadily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifyingother processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/orachieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein.Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalentconstructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions, andalterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitorstructure, comprising: a first electrode layer formed over a substrate;a first spacer formed on a sidewall of the first electrode layer; and afirst dielectric layer formed on the first spacers, wherein an end ofthe first dielectric layer is in direct contact with the first pacer. 2.The MIM capacitor structure as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: asecond electrode layer formed on the first dielectric layer, wherein thesecond electrode layer extends beyond an outer sidewall of the firstspacer; and a second spacer formed on a sidewall of the second electrodelayer.
 3. The MIM capacitor structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein abottommost surface of the first spacer is level with a bottommostsurface of the second spacer.
 4. The MIM capacitor structure as claimedin claim 1, wherein the first spacer has a height which is a sum of aheight of the first electrode layer and a height of the first dielectriclayer.
 5. The MIM capacitor structure as claimed in claim 1, furthercomprising: a first redistribution layer (RDL) structure formed over thefirst dielectric layer, wherein the first RDL structure passes throughthe first electrode layer and the first dielectric layer.
 6. The MIMcapacitor structure as claimed in claim 5, further comprising: a secondredistribution layer (RDL) structure adjacent to the first RDLstructure, wherein the first spacer is between the first RDL structureand the second RDL structure.
 7. The MIM capacitor structure as claimedin claim 1, wherein the first dielectric layer has a first dielectricconstant, and the first spacer has a second dielectric constant which islower than the first dielectric constant.
 8. The MIM capacitor structureas claimed in claim 1, wherein a sidewall of the first electrode layeris aligned with a sidewall of the first spacer.
 9. Ametal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor structure, comprising: a firstelectrode layer formed over a substrate; a first dielectric layer formedon the first electrode layer; and a first spacer formed on a sidewall ofthe first electrode layer and a sidewall of the first dielectric layer,wherein a topmost surface of the first spacer is higher than aninterface between the first electrode layer and the first dielectriclayer.
 10. The MIM capacitor structure as claimed in claim 9, furthercomprising: a second electrode layer formed on the first spacer and thefirst dielectric layer, wherein the second electrode layer has a stepheight.
 11. The MIM capacitor structure as claimed in claim 10, furthercomprising: a second spacer formed on a sidewall of the second electrodelayer, wherein a topmost surface of the second spacer is higher than atop surface of the second electrode layer.
 12. The MIM capacitorstructure as claimed in claim 11, further comprising: a firstredistribution layer (RDL) structure formed over the first dielectriclayer, wherein the first spacer and the second spacer are on oppositesides of the first RDL structure.
 13. The MIM capacitor structure asclaimed in claim 12, wherein a bottom surface of the second spacer islevel with a bottom surface of the first spacer.
 14. The MIM capacitorstructure as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first spacer has a verticalsidewall and a sloped sidewall.
 15. The MIM capacitor structure asclaimed in claim 9, further comprising: a metal line formed over thesubstrate, wherein the first spacer is directly over the metal line. 16.A metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor structure, comprising: a firstelectrode layer formed over a substrate; a first dielectric layer formedon the first electrode layer; a first spacer formed on a sidewall of thefirst electrode layer and a sidewall of the first dielectric layer; asecond electrode layer formed on the first spacer and the firstdielectric layer; a second dielectric layer formed on the secondelectrode layer; and a second spacer formed over the substrate, whereina first sidewall of the second dielectric layer and a first sidewall ofthe second electrode layer are in direct contact with a sidewall of thesecond spacer.
 17. The MIM capacitor structure as claimed in claim 16,further comprising: a third spacer formed on a second sidewall of thesecond electrode layer, wherein the first spacer layer is between thesecond spacer and the third spacer.
 18. The MIM capacitor structure asclaimed in claim 16, further comprising: a first redistribution layer(RDL) structure formed over the first dielectric layer, wherein thefirst RDL structure passes through the first electrode layer and thefirst dielectric layer.
 19. The MIM capacitor structure as claimed inclaim 16, wherein the first spacer has a tapered width from a bottomsurface to a top surface.
 20. The MIM capacitor structure as claimed inclaim 16, further comprising: a third electrode layer formed over thesecond dielectric layer, wherein a sidewall of the third electrode layeris directly over the first spacer.